Meaning of Postsecondary Education
At its basic level, postsecondary education means education beyond high school. More abstract meanings of postsecondary education include the ability to understand the world, to communicate effectively or to know specialized skills. No matter what its meaning, postsecondary education is becoming more important in this increasingly globalized world.
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History
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Postsecondary-education institutions began in 600 B.C. on Cos, a Greek island, to teach medicine, according to historian Ada Knowles. These institutions then spread to Italy and the Greek mainland, where the emphasis transitioned to mathematics and philosophy.
Types
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Postsecondary education can refer to community colleges, liberal arts colleges, universities, vocational schools, trade schools, institutes of technology or professional schools.
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Function
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Postsecondary-education institutions vary in their goals. A liberal arts college might emphasize education for education's sake, whereas a trade school aims to teach specific skills.
Significance
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Today's society places a high value on postsecondary education. For better or worse, postsecondary education has come to be associated with success.
Benefits
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Having a certificate or a degree demonstrates certain competencies, skills or abilities to a potential employer.
Considerations
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The meaning of postsecondary education is nebulous. Everyone has his own expectations or ideals of what higher education should be and what it is.
Misconceptions
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An academic degree or a certificate does not guarantee graduates a job.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Sacushman/Wikimedia Commons
